Morocco has over the years embarked on an ambitious and bold journey to reform its educational system, marked notably by a significant shift towards the incorporation of English language instruction.
This evolution reflects a strategic response to global trends, aiming to endow Moroccan students with enhanced linguistic competencies and competitive advantages in an increasingly interconnected world.
By embracing English alongside Arabic and French, Morocco not only seeks to strengthen its educational framework, but also to foster greater international communication, collaboration, and economic opportunities.
Jenna Tuckerman, an English teacher at the Hassan II University in Casablanca, highlighted the recent policy shift towards English, especially since 2019, during the first English Speaking Job Fair, held Sunday by the U.S. Consulate General in Casablanca, through its cultural center Dar America.
Tuckerman, who delivered a presentation on “Navigating the Shift to English within the Moroccan Education System” at Dar America, emphasized the global prevalence of English across all continents, stating that it offers numerous opportunities for students, enabling them to work and travel abroad while enhancing their educational prospects.
The member of the Moroccan-American Commission for Educational and Cultural Exchange (MACECE) underlined that integrating English education into early elementary and primary school curricula in Morocco can significantly boost English proficiency. Starting language learning at a young age enhances brain receptivity and provides more practice opportunities, thereby accelerating language acquisition.
Regarding challenges arising from the incorporation of English in Moroccan schools, Tuckerman mentioned some resistance from educators towards utilizing artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT. Despite this, she acknowledged the benefits of such tools in helping students with writing tasks and assisting teachers in lesson planning and presentations.
She also noted that the proper use of AI is beneficial for the future of the educational system.
Tuckerman addressed concerns about the impact of English on the teaching and preservation of Arabic and Amazigh languages in Moroccan schools, noting the difficulty of balancing the promotion of heritage languages amidst the shift towards English.
She stressed the importance of maintaining Arabic, Amazigh, and other local dialects alongside English, emphasizing their role in community cohesion and suggesting that French, too, holds significance in the educational landscape.
The English Speaking Job Fair served as a platform for networking, recruitment, and professional development. It brought together over 200 job seekers who engaged with representatives from 17 institutions, including private schools, universities, and English language centers.